OAP’s 160-gun ‘secret’

A PENSIONER who volunteered for the Samaritans and helped victims of crime had 160 banned guns stashed at his house, a court heard.

Paul Bushell’s “secret” horde of weapons included loaded assault rifles and machine guns.

They were found by firefighters tackling a blaze at the property.

The 74-year-old retired oil worker was at a friend’s birthday party when he learned of the fire and told another guest: “I might be in a lot of trouble.”

Miraculously, none of the weapons exploded in the blaze in May this year which destroyed the house he shared with his wife in Gillingham, Kent.

His family knew nothing about the stash, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

Benjamin Hargreaves, defending,said: “He liked having a secret.”

Bushell, admitted seven offences of possessing a prohibited weapon and six counts of possessing ammunition. He will be sentenced today.